Next month is National Pet Dental Health Month, as recognized by AVMA. The organization is ready to help members promote this important period with a free Pet Dental Health toolkit. Regularly brushing pets’ teeth is the single most effective thing pet owners can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental cleanings, and may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need … [Read more...]
Clicks matter
We are excited to capture the content and ideas that shape our daily conversations and objectives in the animal health industry for an exciting new year. Thanks to cooperation from our Founder’s Circle companies and sponsors, we now read and analyze material for an audience of more than 20,000 animal health professionals. For AHD, an animal health professional is any employed … [Read more...]
Zoonotic knowledge poor in MDs and population
Sixty percent of all diseases are zoonotic as are 75 percent of emerging diseases. Sarah Wooten, DVM, shares the metrics surrounding the human medical profession and population related to understanding the risks from animal-human contact. Share this article routinely with local doctors and on websites, social media posts and newsletters. Be sure your own staff is familiar with … [Read more...]
Editor’s Viewpoint
There is clarity as AHD begins its third year. This lucidity that is there is an equal, enthusiastic desire for solid industry information by entry level clinic clerks to extended-career executives. You tell us this when you click on posts, read articles and send us emails. Your ongoing readership helps guide the media sources we review for you. You’ve encouraged us to … [Read more...]
Getting along with others: popular posts with animal health pros
After peppering some human-to human-interaction posts in the AHD BULLETIN early 2017, we learned that animal health pros are just as interested in getting along with each other and clients as they are with keeping animals healthy. In fact, this reality added more than 20 media sources for our team to scour routinely. Source: Animal Health Digest, July-December 2017. Facing … [Read more...]
Most popular posts: animal topics and issues
AHD was founded to support animal health pros with content in the context of how they interact with animals and animal owners. Articles posted in this genre’ remain the most opened posts of all categories. Seven posts topped the opened metrics in the last two quarters of 2017. Topics like these become support materials during sales calls with representatives as well as topics … [Read more...]
Pat Malone’s posts: highly favored
Posts written by AHD’s weekly contributor, Pat Malone, are consistently opened at a high rate. He writes about leadership and productive communication. We all thank Mr. Malone for sharing his expertise, leadership and training experiences. Most of all we appreciate his support and friendship. Source: Animal Health Digest, July-December 2017. We captured the eight most-opened … [Read more...]
Help stable, boarding, dairy owners develop escape plans
Officials confirmed last week that 29 hoses died at a Sylmar, California, ranch during the Creek fire. The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control officers tried to save the horses. While ranch owners told owners not to padlock stalls, some did resulting in the horrific deaths. In San Diego County, at least 46 horses died in a thoroughbred training facility … [Read more...]
Test your equine dental knowledge
Test your knowledge of horses’ teeth. Consider sharing the quiz in posts, emails and newsletters. Source: AQHA, December 14, 2017. Horses have a unique dental structure. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, horses' teeth are divided into two major sections: the incisors, which are the teeth seen in the front of the horse's mouth, and the cheek … [Read more...]
Women transform dairy farm management in western Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-River Falls offers a two-year associate’s degree program in animal science management. The male-female ratio has changed noticeably over the last few years with female students dominating the numbers. Farmers are noticing, and benefiting from, the special connection many female workers develop with livestock. Source: Pioneer Press, December 15, … [Read more...]
Extreme weather requires preparation
Caring for horses often presents challenges when rain, drought or snow dominate the headlines. The Equus team discusses ways to prepare for abnormal extremes. This is good content for social media posts, websites and to use in training sessions with horse owners. Source: Equus, November 2014. For horse people, the weather is a constantly changing variable that has a direct … [Read more...]
Sponsored content: Free guide to goat farming
More people are raising goats. While the goat farming resources are many, too much information can be a detriment. There are different suggestions for manger design, theories about feeding kids and vague generalities about goat milk quality. Customers need guidance. A free guide from Countryside is now available for downloading. Source: Countryside Daily, December 16, … [Read more...]
UC-Davis veterinarians using facial recognition to identify animal pain
Veterinarians and computer scientists at University of California-Davis are teaming up to determine if they can use facial recognition to identify pain in animals. They’re making progress. Source: KXTV, December 15, 2017. The technology is still being developed. However, so far, computer scientists have trained the technology to recognize animal faces in photos (similar to … [Read more...]
Opinion – Cats, boxes and digital communication
A story of cats in boxes has been the rage this year. Beyond its novelty, is the reality that the story appears in a medium not affiliated with an animal health publication. This is another example of the realities of the human-animal bond, the digital evolution, continual scrutiny of animals in the food chain and zoonotic risks place animal health topics into non-traditional … [Read more...]
Why dogs chew everything
"Chewing, for a dog, is like a human opening a door and looking into a room," said Colin Tennant, the chairman of the U.K. Canine and Feline Behaviour Association. "People are nosy, and so are the dogs. But they investigate with their mouths, because they don't have hands." Source: Live Science, December 5, 2017. Dogs frequently chew things because they like the taste or … [Read more...]
Humane Society helping pet, livestock owners during wildfires
As wildfires continue to rage in Southern California, pets, horses and livestock are part of the survivors and casualties. The Humane Society of Ventura County in Ojai has been working 24/7 for more than a week to rescue animals and help owners drop off their pets and horses. No animal is turned away. Source: CBSlocal.com, December 13, 2017. In many cases owners of horses … [Read more...]
3 simple words will set you free: a millennial confesses
Niklas Goeke is a millennial; a writer, book summarizer and habit coach. He exposes us to the shattered self as something all humans go through. Millennials, however, experience this traumatizing, but important event very early in their lives. The reason my generation stands out is not because of our age, but because of how we react to this event, says Goeke. “We … [Read more...]
Stay ahead of Coccidiosis in calves
Coccidia, a parasitic protozoa that colonizes in the intestinal tract of cattle, is one of the “biggies” of pathogens that cause scours in pre- and post-weaned calves. Eggs are produced internally and pass into the environment via shedding in manure. Nearly all animals on dairies will eventually be exposed to coccidia. Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 7, 2017. If the … [Read more...]
Anticipating foal coat color
December is part of the last trimester for some mares. With gestation being 11 months long, owners anxiously await the prize of a new foal. Not much can be predicted overall, but coat color is one attribute where educated guesses are possible. For basic colors, such as sorrel or chestnut, bay, palomino or black, it’s fairly simple. Check the Color-Cross Chart to find the color … [Read more...]
Horse coughing may indicate trouble
Sometimes coughing in horses is harmless. It may be the first sign of serious trouble. Heather Smith Thomas reviews how to tell the difference. Notice the background information about the horse’s activities. These references will help veterinary staff members ask good questions when receiving a call from a horse owner. Source: Equus, October 5, 2017. Knowing when to call … [Read more...]
Colder weather makes horses stiff
Cold, damp weather causes increased stiffness in both muscle and connective tissue, including tendons and ligaments in horses. Older animals experience the effects more profoundly. Eleanor Kellon, VMD, offers some supportive measures to offset the effects of cold. Source: Horse Network, December 5, 2017. Research has proven that exposure to cold causes increased stiffness … [Read more...]
Tips to stop loose dogs from approaching you
Stephanie Colman discusses the challenge of meeting up with a loose dog while out and about with pets. Being approached by loose dogs, especially when their dogs are on leash, is a least-favorite experience for most dog owners. This information is good for social media posts, newsletters and to include in puppy class materials. Coleman offers five non-assertive strategy … [Read more...]
Cat litter offers new benefits
Sandy Robins shares recent trends in cat litter. This information is commercial, but knowing what is trending in this category is important for animal health pros who deal with cat owners. Source: Pet Age, December 4, 2017. New cat litter options include these categories: lightweight litters au natural litters diagnostic litters vibrant litters … [Read more...]
It’s not always safe to rub cat bellies
Dog lovers who visit homes with cats often get fooled by cats offering their bellies. There are lots of places cats like to be petted, but if you try to pet a cat’s belly, you’ll likely be met with claws and teeth. Source: Catster, December 8, 2017. There are some cats who love belly rubs, but they’re few and far between. The cat belly is a very vulnerable place. Unlike … [Read more...]
Senecavirus A gaining a foothold in the U.S. swine industry
Dr. Jack Shere, a DVM with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is concerned about the increasing prevalence of Senecavirus A (SVA) in the U.S. swine herd. SVA is a disease that mimics Foot and Mouth disease (FMD). This is why producers need to be more vigilant than ever when they see signs of blisters or lesions on pigs’ skin . Source: Pork, December 8, … [Read more...]
Elevating the role of veterinary nurses
It is important for animal health pros to understand the Veterinary Nurse Initiative and its empowerment for this work force. It aims to standardize the profession’s educational requirements, scope of practice, requirements to maintain the credential, and title protection, and to rename the role from veterinary technician to veterinary nurse. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
BarkBox continues upward sales clip (includes video)
BarkBox is a phenomenon in the consumer pet market. It has 500,000 delivery service subscribers and more than 4 million fans on Facebook and Instagram. BarkBox’s social media team creates original video content and shares relatable memes with its followers to remind them of the emotional connection humans have with their furry friends. In other words, the content that gets … [Read more...]
Not all dogs need cute winter coats
Winter coats for dogs are cute, but they likely aren’t needed? Carol Bryant discusses which dog breeds should wear coats in the winter and how to choose one. This is good information for pet owners that can be deliver via social media, newsletters and have available in-house. Source: Dogster, December 5, 2017. Bryant shares the following on canine couture: Fiction: All … [Read more...]
To get support for your CX vision, Just ASK!
Customer experience (CX) is a mainstay of business strategies. It is not a new concept, it is just that with the digital experiences added to it, CX can now occur much of the time without humans being directly involved. Krista Sheridan writes about changing the question from one of making people do things to letting people do things. In other words, asking for help. Source: … [Read more...]
Cat kisses send real messages
The cat kiss is much different from anything humans do, says Denise LeBeau. But, cat owners know their feline friends show their affection toward us, and each other, quite often. LeBeau explores cat kisses, whether real or perceived. Source: Catster, November 22, 2017. The best way to show your cat how much you love him is to not plop a big kiss on his face. It’s best to … [Read more...]